Enhanced Support for Families of Children with Disabilities in Malta’s 2025 Budget

Nov 14 2024

As part of the 2025 Budget measures, the tax credit for parents of children with disabilities will increase from €500 to €750 per year to support specialized therapy costs. This measure, overseen by the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), will now extend to parents who do not pay tax due to unemployment or reliance on social benefits.

Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering, Julia Farrugia, announced these details at a press conference held at the Sonia Tanti Independent Living Centre in Ħal Far, operated by Aġenzija Sapport.

This center is currently undergoing a €700,000 refurbishment to improve its services, expected to be completed in 2025. Planned enhancements include better accessibility, two ACTU clinics, a play area for children, wheelchair assessment clinics, a driving clinic, and a sensory room, among other facilities.

CRPD Commissioner Rhoda Garland highlighted that the tax credit increase for specialized therapy is a crucial support for parents with children requiring developmental therapies, promoting greater independence.

Aġenzija Sapport CEO Oliver Scicluna noted that the improved facilities will enable a multidisciplinary team to deliver more comprehensive services focused on accessibility and independent living for persons with disabilities.

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Dangerous Volcanic Ash Leads To Bali Flight Cancellations

Nov 14 2024

Flights to and from Bali have been widely disrupted as ash clouds from Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki create hazardous flying conditions.

Airlines including Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Cathay Pacific, IndiGo, and AirAsia cancelled flights after the volcano emitted a 9 kilometer ash column last weekend, one week after a previous eruption that killed 10 people. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology has warned that the ash may reach parts of northern Australia.

Jetstar announced that all flights to and from Bali would be suspended until noon Thursday (AEDT), while Virgin Australia cancelled all flights for Wednesday, emphasising that passenger safety remains paramount. Singapore Airlines and its low-cost carrier, Scoot, also cancelled some flights, although others were reported to operate.

Bali’s international airport reported 22 international and 12 domestic cancellations on Tuesday.

The ash has also disrupted other activities in Indonesia, such as a jazz festival in Labuan Bajo, located 600 kilometres from the volcano, which was postponed due to safety concerns.

Indonesia’s location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” gives it one of the world’s highest concentrations of active volcanoes, leading to frequent aviation disruptions from eruptions, as seen previously in 2020 with Mount Merapi.

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Biden Welcomes Trump To The White House

Nov 14 2024

Donald Trump returned to the White House on Wednesday as president-elect, welcomed by outgoing President Joe Biden, who upheld a tradition Trump had previously broken in 2020.

This symbolic meeting followed the Republicans securing a majority in the House of Representatives, giving Trump complete control of Congress.

The two shook hands in the Oval Office, with Biden, 81, offering his congratulations and pledging a smooth transition of power.

Trump’s re-entry into office is marked by his selection of key loyalists for top positions. Matt Gaetz, a staunch Trump ally, was appointed attorney general, though he faces scrutiny due to an ongoing ethics investigation.

Trump also named Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence and Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, while Fox News host Pete Hegseth was picked as defence secretary despite limited experience.

Additionally, Trump tapped billionaire Elon Musk to lead a new government spending reform group.

In Washington, Trump suggested openness to a third term, which would violate constitutional limits, hinting at a bold agenda. Both Biden and Trump struck a courteous tone during the transition discussions, with Biden urging continued U.S. support for Ukraine despite Trump’s prior skepticism.

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6.9 Million Travellers Through Malta Airport January-September

Nov 14 2024

Passenger traffic at Malta International Airport (MIA) rose significantly between January and September 2024, bringing in 6.9 million passengers and generating €107.8 million in revenue, with a net profit of €39.5 million.

This performance was supported by extensive capital investment totaling €39.7 million, funding major projects like Apron 8 South, phase one of the Terminal Expansion, and a new VIP terminal.

October also marked a strong month, with passenger traffic increasing by 8.7% year-over-year to reach 838,393 movements—exceeding 800,000 for the first time in a single month.

Seat capacity grew by 6.5%, and the Seat Load Factor rose to 86.5%. Key markets driving this growth included Italy, the UK, and Germany, which together accounted for over half of the airport’s passenger base.

France and Poland followed, with Poland seeing the highest growth at nearly 50%.

Based on strong year-to-date performance, MIA has updated its full-year projections, expecting 8.96 million passengers, €141 million in revenue, €85 million in EBITDA, €46 million in net profit, and a CAPEX of €64 million.

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